New nest...different momma

[jdywntr]

Except for catching and enclosing the duck in a secure run, there is nothing that you can do to deter predators. She may or may not continue using the nest. Typically, when they start laying, they keep laying if their eggs are there because the nest is seen as "safe". I don't think I'd worry about numbering the eggs. If she continues to use the nest, she'll lay an egg a day (up to 20 or so) and then start to set. Once she starts to set, she'll leave the nest for a short time 1-2X a day to eat, drink, poop and bathe.

I do have to caution you on one thing, feeding them. I lived in FL for 13 years (moved in June) and as I'm sure you are aware, feral muscovy are not looked on kindly there. Many people complain that the wild muscovy are too friendly because they are fed. They lose their fear of people and become very brazen, walking up to doors even into houses occassionally. A friendly wild duck is going to have to worry about not only predators but the @$$&@(#$ that catch, harrass and kill them. Sadly, it is legal for anyone to kill muscovy in FL as long as it is done in a humane manner. They are considered an invasive species and have no rights other than against abuse.

I think it is great that you are enjoying them so much and I am not trying to be harsh. I mean I own Muscovy and LOVE having them. I just want to offer a realistic picture of live for them in FL.

 

[chook master]

hello!! nice to have you on BYC!!! you can have a look at coops on BCY if you want.

 

[Duckysalterego]

Except for catching and enclosing the duck in a secure run, there is nothing that you can do to deter predators.  She may or may not continue using the nest.  Typically, when they start laying, they keep laying if their eggs are there because the nest is seen as "safe".  I don't think I'd worry about numbering the eggs.  If she continues to use the nest, she'll lay an egg a day (up to 20 or so) and then start to set.  Once she starts to set, she'll leave the nest for a short time 1-2X a day to eat, drink, poop and bathe.

I do have to caution you on one thing, feeding them.  I lived in FL for 13 years (moved in June) and as I'm sure you are aware, feral muscovy are not looked on kindly there.  Many people complain that the wild muscovy are too friendly because they are fed.  They lose their fear of people and become very brazen, walking up to doors even into houses occassionally.  A friendly wild duck is going to have to worry about not only predators but the @$$&@(#$ that catch, harrass and kill them.  Sadly, it is legal for anyone to kill muscovy in FL as long as it is done in a humane manner.  They are considered an invasive species and have no rights other than against abuse. 

I think it is great that you are enjoying them so much and I am not trying to be harsh.  I mean I own Muscovy and LOVE having them.  I just want to offer a realistic picture of live for them in FL.

 

[Duckysalterego]

They actually are cautious I have 2 dogs our female lays at the fence and watches them we don't allow them to bark at and scare the ducks..Abby our female actually whined when Ducky left with her babies and Abby waited for her to come back with them...she looked for the babies for a few days but eventually realized the babies weren't coming back...Ducky is here everyday along with a handful of other ducks

 

[Duckysalterego]

well she has laid 5 eggs 3 of which have been eaten ...1 I brought inside last night and returned it to the nest this morning before she returned to be in the nest with the other egg she laid this morning....maybe some chicken wire over the windows of the duck house and a gate like for the door for the in between hours when Mama Duck is gone for the evening til 6:45 a.m when she returns will help...gonna have to mention that to hubby tonight when he gets home

 

[missnu01]

Are you finding shells in the nest, or just the eggs are missing? A lot of animals will break and eat the eggs, a few will carry them off, but snakes are the most efficient egg eaters I have seen. they slither in, swallow the egg, and then slither right back out.

 

[Duckysalterego]

I found the broken shells just outside the duck house.

 

[Duckysalterego]

so Mama Duck laid a total of 7 eggs but has abandoned the nest leaving 3 behind the other 4 were eaten by the possum that hangs around my house which
our female dog (Abby) keeps trying to fight with our male dog (Albert) could care less about any critters in the yard
I had to keep them apart with a board the other night so my dog doesn't get hurt ...not worried about the possum hope it finds somewhere else to live nasty little critter

 

[Miss Lydia]

so Mama Duck laid a total of 7 eggs but has abandoned the nest leaving 3 behind the other 4 were eaten by the possum that hangs around my house which
our female dog (Abby) keeps trying to fight with our male dog (Albert) could care less about any critters in the yard
I had to keep them apart with a board the other night so my dog doesn't get hurt ...not worried about the possum hope it finds somewhere else to live nasty little critter

Thats too bad about the possum but happens more often than we know, I guess it's one way of mother nature keeping duck numbers in check, If she is a wild Scovie then the only way you can keep her and her eggs safe is to build her a predator house that she gets locked into every night, and then when ducklings hatch either you keep them penned up for a couple weeks or let mama do her thing, it's a harsh world out there and most likely all of them won't make it.

 

[Duckysalterego]

Well I see her everyday but she won't go in the duck house pretty sure tje remaing eggs are no good ...oh well what are gonna do.